flamen

One of 15 sacrificial priests in ancient Rome, appointed to offer daily sacrifice to particular gods in the state pantheon. The office was held for life, but was terminated by the death of the flamen's wife (who assisted him at ceremonies), through neglect of duty, or if an evil omen occurred during a ritual.

There were originally three flamines: Flamen Dialis for Jupiter, Flamen Martialis for Mars, and Flamen Quirinalis for Quirinus. When their number was increased to 15, the three original offices, confined to the patrician class, became the flamines majores, while the additional 12, the flamines minores, were plebeian. Their number declined towards the end of the republican period. The three flamines majores were responsible for the annual observance of Fides Publica, a goddess personifying the honour of the people of Rome.

With the exception of the Flamen Dialis, the flamines' official dress was a white conical cap (apex), a mantle (laena), and a laurel wreath.

Flamen Dialis The most important of the flamines, he had a seat in the Senate and was entitled to a curule chair, used by the magistrates and emperor. An elaborate code of regulations protected him from ritual defilement; he was not allowed to look on fetters, an army, or people at work; to touch a horse or anything unclean; or to swear an oath. He was also not permitted to absent himself from Rome for a night.

His insignia were a white cap (pileus or albogalerus) topped with an olive branch and a woollen thread; a thick woollen toga praetexta (having a deep border of purple) woven by his wife; a sacrificial knife; and a rod to keep the people at a distance when on his way to sacrifice.

His marriage took the form of confarreatio, in which a spelt (wheat) cake was offered up, and could only be dissolved at the death of his wife, the Flaminica Dialis, at which point he was obliged to resign.